Racist vs Prejudiced

The post-racial harmony America was expected to bask in after President Obama was elected has fallen under a cloudy cover.  The latest story that caught my eye was concerning the Boston police officer who referred to Henry Louis Gates and/or Gates' actions as a 'banana-eating jungle monkey' in a mass email. . .  three different times.  In any case, the result was administrative leave for his words, something mass emails can do; especially if you're silly enough to send them to members of the National Guard and the BOSTON GLOBE!

As expected, he later stated that he was not racist and he has friends with race qualities yada yada yada.  The thing is, he was right.  He's not racist, he's prejudiced.  In fact, most of us are prejudiced to some degree.  But that's not my point here.

My point is we throw the word racist around quite often when in fact we mean prejudiced.  In order to be racist, you must have power over someone or some aspect of their being.  A boss can be racist. A boss can fire you because he does not like that you're Scandinavian.  A politician can be racist.  Enforcing policies that keep, say, the Native American trapped on a reservation.  And yes, a police officer can be racist as well.  However, in terms of what this guy did his actions were prejudiced.  He used a racial slur to insult and influence but ultimately his email held no power over anyone else's actions.

With that said, I am not surprised it was a Boston police officer.  I am surprised that they gave this guy a gun but not for the reasons you might suspect.  My surprise arises from the fact that his decision making in sending a strongly worded email to THE BOSTON GLOBE under his real name identifying his real job and not seeing the consequences makes me wonder who exactly he would be helping with a firearm in public. Officer, at least go to the library and create a fake email account...did you think the Globe would keep it all hush hush for you?

Back to my point, we throw the word racist around because it is seen as much more damaging to reputation and character.  Prejudice implies a pre-judging with a possibilty of changing.  In effect, it's admitting having opinions about a something or a group of people without having any hard facts to back them up.

Racist, on the other hand, is a principle.  It's a belief in some form of superiority based on something no human even gets to choose for themselves, race and/or skin color.  It implies a lifestyle almost.  There is little to no hope of change for a racist save for a life-changing event, and even then it's not guaranteed.

So the public, the media, and the leaders throw around the word 'racist' any time they can. It stirs the pot, moves the food around the plate, but it's not really accurate (much like my 'moves around the plate' analogy).

Xpinionated's Greatest Hits

Due to my own need to reassure myself of my greatness, I happened to realize that the special Xpinionated's Greatest Hits section was still linking to my old site that has passed on. Dead links be damned. Xpinionated's Greatest Hits has been restored...enjoy or detest....whatever

At least it's not my tax money . . .

Masssachusetts congressman Richard Neal is concerned. The White House may very be outsourcing it's beer for the historic Obama-Gates-police officer a letter stating an all-amAmerican  (as he has become affectionately known) happy hour event planned for the near future. President Obama's beer choice is Budlight, now owned by the Belgian company that produces the fine Stella Artois libation. Mr. Gates and Mr. Police officer will be enjoying Red Stripe or Becks, and Blue Moon respectively.

But not if Congressman Neal has a say so. Apparently he has penned a letter to the White House suggesting an All-American beer...Samuel Adams.

Wait, he took the time to do what?  And on the taxpayer's dime?  Or at least the Massachusett's taxpayer's dime....As if the entire White House Happy Hour episode wasn't enough, now we have other branches of government worried about beer.  If they are that bored, why don't they work on getting a college football playoff.  Or jobs for the unemployed...not necessarily in that order of course..

Owens mouthing off again. . .correctly?!?!

Terrell Owens stepped up to the plate in opposition to an extension of Michael Vick's suspension this morning.  Owens argument is simply that Vick should be allowed to play immediately should he be picked up by a team, and I concur.  Though I've never been an opponent of Terrell Owens, except when he played for the Cowboys (I'm a Skins fan, it's part of the membership), I never thought I would actually agree with much that he said publicly.  But with this I am in agreement.

Michael Vick committed a crime.  To many, a grotesque and heartless crime.  Michael Vick served his time. He's lost two years out of his career (by his own hands admittedly) in a profession where every single year is to be cherished given the lack of pro football career longevity.  On top of that, his fortune is gone.  The money he made, not from his criminal deed, but from his talent is no longer.  Lastly, he has no one he can trust as his so-called friends bailed on him as soon as possible.  At this point, outside of his family there is no one Vick can (or should) fully trust.

Now I don't want to make Michael Vick out to be a victim here.  Like I stated, he willfully chose to commit a crime.  My point is simply this, how many other ex-cons are officially prevented from returning to their livelihoods (if they had one as many turn to crime due to lack of a constant livelihood) when their crime had absolutely nothing to do with their job.  It would be one thing if Vick had gone to jail because of an NFL gambling ring that he financed.  But that's not the case.  From the standpoint of his job, he did nothing that would suggest his job should be permanently taken from him.  Those that suggest otherwise are speaking from a purely emotional standpoint.

I understand some American's obsession with dogs.  In no way am I condoning what he did.  But after two years in prison, and not a 'Martha-Stewart-I-am-a-famous-person celebrity prison -- but Leavenworth, his debt to society has been paid.  If not by his prison sentence, then by his financial loss.  If not by his financial loss, then by his personal losses.

Race Card Misused

Henry Louis Gates, not sure why he gets to use three names but anywho, was arrested at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts after a neighbor reported a break-in at Gates' home.  What could have turned into a simple misunderstanding has now gotten President Obama making statements, CNN following the story, and a host of race related discussions occurring.

This is the race card in action, unfortunately.  First, without knowing anything more than what CNN has produced, it seems to me that Gates acted somewhat obnoxious and the arresting officer also overreacted.  To be fair, the officer was doing his job in responding to a possible break-in.  To be fair, Gates has a right to be perturbed at this intrusion.

At the same time, the matter could have been over in less than fifteen minutes had Gates shown his identification immediately when requested by the officer.  Just because you're a celebrated professor doesn't necessarily mean everyone knows who you are.  Secondly, the anger Mr. Gates is projecting shouldn't be at the police officer.  Instead, it should be at the neighbor who is the one that racially profiled him.  A better question would be, why the hell doesn't your neighbor recognize you?

Granted, the officer may have gone too far in terms of actually arresting Gates.  And the charge of  'loud and tumultous behaviour in a public place' doesn't really fit for an argument on a private residence.

But all things considered, I don't think the officer has anything to apologize for.  I don't think President Obama should have even mentioned this, much less call the police officer's actions stupid. At some point I imagine the President will have to make a statement about some kind of serious racial incident and having this as a precedent will weaken his words when the time comes.

As a black man, I don't feel I have ever been racially profiled.  I don't say that to imply it doesn't happen.  Hell, I will readily admit that I racial profile myself depending on the situation I'm in.  I acknowledge that every run in I've had with police officers has been warranted (all traffic violations).  When the cops have pulled me over in my rimmed out Magnum, I was speeding, I was crossing a solid white line, and I was tailgating.  Each time, I was treated with respect and one time was even given a compliment about my car.  I've even had an officer check my tinted windows for legality as we shared a beverage at a bar.  What I'm saying is this:  Racial profiling does occur.  However, my experience has been that cooperation leads to a much swifter and agreeable outcome.  Not only that, I'd rather have police officers spend a little more time investigating a call than doing nothing for fear of being called racist.

Officially Old?

I'm on the precipice of 35 years old. I'm injured from running full speed -- 3 or 4 weeks ago! My thumb is so swollen it looks like a pig without the blanket. I drink two beers and think I may be reaching my limit. I no longer feel any excitement for the Friday nights I use to cherish. I read. . .and read . . . and read.

It's not all bad. I've got some beautiful kids and wife. I just wonder if I'm going through a mid-life crisis or if I'm in a funk or what. I do find myself often bored, bored by everything....

Something is Missing

And I don't know what. I've been prone to mood swings of pretty large proportions for the past few weeks. I feel kind of bored. Maybe it's a mid-life crisis. I don't know what 'it' is but 'it' is missing.....

King of Pop - The Memorial

I admit.  I did not watch Michael Jackson's memorial service.  Nor did I plan to watch it.  I did however let my curiosity get the best of me for the briefest of moments.

So I logged in to cnn.com, like most other working Americans trying to not work, and began watching.  Within a minute, I had closed the tab, annoyed.  CNN chose to allow the posting of Facebook statuses alongside the live Memorial.  Although I'm sure the intentions were good, the result was disrespectful in my opinion.  Trying to watch the memorial and understand, feel, sympathize, and generally say farewell to Michael Jackson while being inundated with the kind of negativity only the anonymity of the internet can provide was in a word, disheartening.  From people giving their opinions on dress to outrageous comments about who should and should not be allowed to say some words about Michael Jackson, the experience didn't move me to tears....it moved me to wordpress where I could express my thoughts to those who choose to read them.

I think my biggest issue was with the folks who took the opportunity of having a much larger audience to expound on their dislikes of presenters at the memorial.  As if that was the whole point of this affair.  'What does so and so have to do with it?' was a common theme.  What does it matter?  They were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to say some kind words during the memorial, is that in any way bad?

RIP, MJ.  You will be missed.